Vinyl pressings
by UB40 · 1981
Don't Slow Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
ƱTOPIA 7 DEP 1/2Side A Runout, etched, variant 1
Ʊ 7 DEP 1 A-1 "NO SWEAT"Side AA Runout, etched, variant 1
ƱTOPIA. 7 DEP 1 / 2 - 1Side A Runout, etched, variant 2
Ʊ 7DEP 1 A-1 - "NO SWEAT"Side AA Runout, etched, variant 2
12 DEP 1 / 2 - 1 UTOPIARunout, A-side, variant 1
DEP 1 / 1 2 ✳ UTOPIA NO SWEATRunout, AA-side, variant 1
12•DEP•1•2/2 ✳ UTOPIARunout, A-side, variant 2
DEP•1/1•2•✳ UTOPIA NO SWEATRunout, AA-side, variant 2
12 DEP 1 / 2 - 1 ƱTOPIARunout, A-side, hand etched
12 DEP-1 - A1 Ʊ "NO SWEAT"Runout, AA-side, hand etched
MX200144 ES 655-1 GRunout Side A
MX200145 B ES 655-2 GRunout Side AA
MX200144Label Side A
MX200145Label Side AA
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 655 / DEP International ES 655First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES-12038First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Ireland | DEP International 12 DEP1 / DEP International 12 DEP 1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Epic A 1410First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | DEP International A-12.1410First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | DEP International DEP 71First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International DEP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International 7 DEP 1 / DEP International 7 DEP1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International 7 DEP 1 / DEP International 7 DEP1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International 12 DEP1 / DEP International 12 DEP 1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International 12 DEP1 / DEP International 12 DEP 1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Don't Slow Down are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Ireland, Netherlands and more. One of them is DEP International 7 DEP 1, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 DEP 1, 12 DEP1, DEP 1, ES 655) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ƱTOPIA 7 DEP 1/2 and Ʊ 7 DEP 1 A-1 "NO SWEAT". Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
